South Putnam Middle School/ High School

Makayla Nicholls honored Mrs. Elaine Bye. She said, "You have taught me so much more than just math. You showed me how to be the teacher I strive to be. You taught me how to show compassion in teaching. You showed me how to help students when they struggle and how to help them understand what is going on in class. Thank you for everything you do!"

Thank you to North Salem State Bank for very generously providing lunch to our teachers on Monday for Teacher Appreciation Week!

Caroline Hodge honored Mrs. Tiffany Dickson. She said, "I couldn’t do what I’ve done, in school but for my future as well, without you with me. You’ve helped shape me into the person that I am, who believes they can do math and so much more. I’m going to miss you tremendously, both next year and all the years that follow it."

The days are getting longer and brighter, which means the number of school days is rapidly dwindling. Let's sing the praises of another one of the tireless educators who make South Putnam Middle School such a great place for our students, our special education teacher Mrs. Lauren Clampitt. We asked some of Mrs. Clampitt's students what they appreciated about Mrs. Clampitt. The first things they told us were, "I love her so much", "I love her. She is one of the most amazing teachers I've ever had", and "she's my favorite teacher." Why do her students love her so? Because "she's very sweet", "she's very welcoming", "she's very kind and understanding", "she's respectful", "she helps me with my problems", "she pushes you to your goals", and "she's always willing to give you a helping hand." We ask you, how could students NOT love a teacher like Mrs. Clampitt? Students are grateful to her for the support she provides them in their classes. "As soon as I got in Mrs. Clampitt's class," one student told us, "my grades went up." Students recognize the ways she helps them in getting their work done and making it through the day, whether that be patiently answering their questions about schoolwork, or allowing them time and space to destress when they need it. "Mrs. Clampitt is, like, super helpful," one student said. And we couldn't agree more. Thank you, Mrs. Clampitt, for meeting your students where they are, and for sharing with them your time and talents to help them spread their wings and soar to where you know they can be.

Middle school students in Mrs. Nees's math class were playing games this week to test theoretical probability vs. experimental probability.

Middle school students in Mrs. Nees's math class were playing games this week to test theoretical probability vs. experimental probability.

Jaicee Jackson honored Mr. Welti. She said, "Thinking back to all of these memories has made me realize that some of the best times in my years of high school are all thanks to you and your classes. History has always been one of my favorite subjects and I couldn't ask for a better person to teach it to me for the past 3 years."

Evan Hinkle honored his teacher Mrs. Natalie Hodge. Evan said, "Biology . . . was by far my favorite class that year because it has very interesting material and it was taught by a teacher that believes in biology with a contagious passion. I call your passion for life and science contagious because I caught it much like so many of your students before. . . I really want to say thank you so much for loving what you do and inspiring me to take my next step in life.

Thank you Angie Snider for your hard work and care for our students at South Putnam!

Alie Newby honored Brian Gardner. She said: "I appreciate you coming out to be my substitute coach for my regional competition this year. This just goes to show how much you are willing to help out when you are needed, without hesitation. One day Sophomore year, we were practicing chipping out on the front lawn here at school, and Mr. Gardner told me to go retrieve some of the balls that had already been hit, and so I started walking out there when he said, "Hey Alie, I'm going to hit you with this one!" And I laughed . . . thinking he was joking . . . . But no, next thing I knew, I got hit square between the shoulder blades with a golf ball and that's when I knew that 1) he must be pretty good at golf and 2) it was going to be a really fun season!".

Stevie Keenan honored Heath Pruitt and wrote: "You made me realize that I was just as important as my peers, that I wasn't just a student going through a system, but my own person with my own ideas. Not just in that moment, but a millions times afterward. You completely changed how I was looking at the rest of my life." "Thank you for bringing me towards some of the best experiences of my life for giving me the confidence that you may have not even known I needed. I never, ever thought I could do half of the things that you believed I could do. Thank you for all the light you bring to South Putnam and for making me the person I am today."

Peyton Freeman honored Mrs. Wells. She wrote: Not only have you been my cheer coach for the last 4 years, but you were also the first class that I walked into on my first day of 6th grade. My stomach was in all kinds of knots and I felt like I was going to throw up, all because I was nervous about being in middle school. What I didn't know was that it was also your first day of teaching at South and you were just as nervous. I knew I was going to love your class, not just because of what we did, but because of you. You taught us how to work hard but also how to have fun while learning. You are someone who cares deeply, you are naturally kind and uplifting and someone to look up to. You helped encourage me enough to make me believe in myself."

Joscelyn Pilcher honored her teacher, coach and mother Ellen Cash. She wrote: "You have taught me everything I know; you are my mom. You are one of the most positive coaches I ever had. I was so happy to be one of your starters and help win a Sectional Championship with you. Those are memories that will last forever. One of the biggest things that will stick with me is how you have helped me through multiple injuries. . . You believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Everything I have done would not have been possible without you and your confidence in me, so thank you, for everything."

Keaton Chew honored Mr. Brandon Welti, he wrote: "Within these walls, South Putnam holds a gallery of extremely passionate and highly intelligent educators and without these wonderful teachers, I wouldn't have learned anything at all." [Mr. Welti] is the epitome of integrity in everything he does and a man I am proud to call a role model in my life. I am constantly inspired by his insatiability for knowledge and dedication to life-long learning.

Les Brown honored Cameron Frazier, stating, "Ever since you came to South Putnam you have inspired me to be better. Everyday I look forward to coming to your class as I always learn something new. You have taught me resilience. You are a bucket full of knowledge and I am just a little spoon dipping out to fill my own bucket. I hope to someday be like you. Your guidance means the world to me. "

Aide Beadles honored Mr. Errett tonight as part of the Summa Cum Laude Banquet. He wrote: "you pushed me in ways I didn't realize I needed. . . . As I sat and listened to each story, I heard a man with numerous achievements but also a man so humble that his stories seemed like they were being told about someone else. Your humility matched with your need for excellence does not go unnoticed and I have taken your characteristics and tried to mirror them in my life." "Errett, I will never be able to describe what you have done for me but I hope you know the sincere impact you have had on my life and how you have developed me as a student, athlete, and most importantly a man. "

Congratulations to John Skomp, the District 8 Assistant Principal of the Year! He was selected by the Indiana Association of School Principals for his excellence in educational leadership. We know we are lucky to have such a dedicated, hard working and personally invested person as our Assistant Principal. He is a problem solver who cares about people, and he makes sure things are right. Thank you John for choosing to be an Eagle.

Greene Henry, second grader, sits and dreams about getting his picture on that wall one day.

Getting ready for AP Gov this morning!

Congratulations to Alyssa Pingleton on being named the High School Student of the Month for April. Alyssa was nominated by Mr. Errett who said the following about her. "Aly's success is a direct result of her hard work and commitment to excellence. There have been many times when she has reached out for help or comes in during homeroom to complete assignments and labs. Aly also plays softball and is currently in a very busy period of the season. Even with that additional time commitment, she has found a way to excel! ”